Culture is Healing

In this episode of Culture Is Healing, George Harris Jr. sits down with Monique Gray Smith for a heartfelt conversation about the healing power of culture, ceremony, and belonging.   Drawing on her own journey of reconnecting with Indigenous traditions, Monique shares how love, gratitude, and community can help us navigate life's challenges and strengthen our sense of identity.   The conversation...

In this episode of Culture Is Healing, George Harris Jr. sits down with Diana Smith for a conversation about supporting people through difficult times. Drawing on her experience working in community, Diana shares her perspective on trust, kindness, and the relationships that help people feel seen and supported. The conversation touches on mental health, addiction, the role of matriarchs, and the i...

In this episode of Culture Is Healing, George sits down with Kaya Hansen to explore the challenges facing substance use and recovery systems, where overworked staff and fragmented services often make healing harder to access. Together, they discuss Indigenous approaches to care, the importance of reducing administrative burdens, and how the Pathways to Healing tool is helping communities create mo...

In this episode of Culture Is Healing, George Harris Jr. sits down with Aaron Pete.   They discuss why empowering young people matters now more than ever.   Aaron also shares reflections on leadership, sacrifice, and the changing political landscape in Canada, reminding listeners that every person’s unique gifts are needed in times of change.   This conversation offers grounded insights on how rec...

In this episode of Culture Is Healing, George Harris Jr. speaks with Musqueam weaver Aleen Sparrow about how culture can be lived as a daily practice of healing, connection, and identity.   Aleen reflects on learning to weave at the kitchen table with her mother and aunties, and how those moments shaped her understanding of weaving as both art and relationship.   Together, they explore how practic...

This week on Culture Is Healing, George Harris Jr sits down with Stan Matthew to share stories shaped by decades of healing, lived experience, and cultural teachings.   Stan is a nuučaan̓uł leader and healing practitioner from the David family of ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ First Nation, with over 35 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and communities through healing.   Centered on applying tra...

We’re back for a new season of Culture is Healing—and we’re starting it off with a powerful conversation with Malina Dawn. In this episode, George and Malina explore what it looks like to live your healing, not just talk about it. Drawing on teachings from the Medicine Wheel and Malina’s relationship to yoga and movement, they reflect on how culture can guide us through different seasons of life—a...

For our final episode of Season 4 George sits down with Tanille Johnston. Tanille is the first Indigenous person to ever have their name represented on a federal political party's leadership ballot in Canadian history.  This episode explores the role of ceremony, the teachings of elders, and the responsibility of embracing our individual gifts—not just for personal growth, but for the wellbeing of...

George sits down with Mateo Kostering — proud member of the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw Nation and the ’Namgis Nation — founder of the Indigenous Athletics Academy, and lifelong athlete whose journey from community tournaments to semi-pro coaching has been guided by discipline, culture, and service.  Mateo shares why resilience must be practiced daily, why winning isn’t the only measure of success, an...

What does it mean to carry culture into everyday life — not just in ceremony, but in how we speak, lead, parent, and show up for community?   In this episode of Culture is Healing, Sonya Williams (Councillor, Education Coordinator, and Education Committee Chair, Sq’éwlets First Nation ) shares reflections on leadership, family teachings, and the importance of using your voice. She speaks about the...

What helps a young person believe in their future? Sometimes it starts with a coach, a ceremony, or one trusted relationship. In this episode, Deana Gill shares how sport, culture, and mentorship are creating real change for Indigenous youth and communities. From her early days in child protection to leading Hope and Health, she reflects on what she’s learned about showing up with humility, buildi...

Josh shares his story honestly in this one. Josh Drummond (therapist and close friend of George) speaks openly about growing up Indigenous without being raised with his culture.  He shares his experiences in child protection work, and the added layers of care, pain, and responsibility that come with supporting Indigenous families through healing.  This conversation comes back to reconnecting with...

George sits down with his mentor and educator William Taylor! Drawing on teachings from elders, storytelling, and decades of experience in education, William shares the most meaningful teachings he’s received. George and William touch on how cultural ceremonies and mentorship are grounded in love and support.  This conversation encourages you to reflect on your own gifts and how they can strengthe...

George Harris Jr. and Jessica Johnson discuss what culturally grounded education requires of educators beyond good intentions. This episode focuses on how teachers can navigate community protocols with care, support language- and land-based learning, and understand belonging as a responsibility rather than an outcome. 

George Harris Jr. talks with Leah George-Wilson, four-term Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, about how ceremonies, elders, and ancestral connections guide personal and community well-being. They explore the responsibility we all share to learn Indigenous histories, the power of cultural practices to heal from trauma, and why including Indigenous voices in decision-making matters now more than ev...

George Harris Jr. sits down with Coast Salish artist Jesse Recalma to explore how cultural practices, ceremonies, and artistic expression can support healing. Jesse shares personal stories of learning from his grandfather, passing on Coast Salish teachings through carving, painting, and language revitalization.

Season 3 of Culture is Healing is closing out with this powerful finale! George Harris Jr. sits down with Katie Marren—a Cree-Métis, English, and Irish educator, mother, and District Principal of Indigenous Education—to explore how culture and education can create healing for Indigenous young ones and communities as a whole. Katie opens up about her personal story and shares how important Indigeno...

This week’s guest is Waubgeshig Rice!  George and Waub share teachings about how healing moves between generations.  The episode shares guidance on participating in cultural renewal without appropriation and speaks to the responsibility that comes with engaging with culture respectfully.

George Harris Jr. and Nola Jeffrey reflect on the healing ceremonies, cleansing practices, and community teachings that have supported their experiences with trauma.  They emphasize the importance of daily self-care—especially for those in helping roles—and offer simple cultural practices anyone can use to release the heaviness felt inside and find grounding.  This conversation also shares the wor...

 In this week’s conversation, George Harris Jr. and educator Kelsey Crawford explore how cultural healing, community support, and everyday acts of presence can transform the lives of Indigenous youth. Together, they reflect on the power of elders, regalia, music, and seasonal teachings in helping young people build identity, confidence, and connection. Their discussion offers practical insights fo...

In this episode of Culture Is Healing, Rachael Hunt and George Harris Jr. talk about what it means to return home — to culture, ceremony, and community.  Rachael shares ancestral wisdom and teachings from the Eighth Fire. The conversation is a call to remember that culture isn’t something we practice once in a while — it’s something we live.  Whether through prayer, gratitude, or presence, every m...

In this episode of Culture is Healing, George Harris Jr. sits down with Jenn Smith of the Tlowitsis Nation, a leader in Indigenous Cultural Safety and reconciliation work.  Together, they speak about how self-love can be an act of reclamation and how personal journeys of cultural connection are vital for identity and healing.  Jenn shares how ancestral teachings, truth-telling, and community care...

Education can be a place of deep healing when guided by culture, story, and community. George and his friend Colleen Mullin share a conversation about bringing Indigenous language, teachings, and community connection into education in meaningful ways.  George reflects on moments of racism and insensitivity he faced as a student, and how those experiences shaped his commitment to creating safer, mo...

Gabriel George Sr. speaks to canoeing as a teacher — one that carries lessons of discipline, unity, and spirit.   He reflects on how revitalizing language has restored strength and pride to his community.    He points to the guidance of elders, who remind us that healing also means breaking harmful cycles and choosing a different way forward.   At the heart of it all, Gabe emphasizes that love and...

“Art and music helped me survive.” This week, George shares a raw conversation with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw’s Benjamin Lewis. Ben opens up about his recovery from addiction, sharing the story that led him to hosting his own 12-step meetings. He also talks about how turning back to culture and creativity became his way through. For Ben, art and music aren’t just passions — they’re lifelines. In this...